School Board

The nine members of the Chesapeake School Board are elected to at-large seats and represent the entire city. They are elected to four-year staggered terms in May. The chairman and vice-chairman are elected yearly to their positions from the entire board membership to preside over meetings and represent the board at various events and ceremonial functions. The official duties of the School Board include:

Instituting policy development for the school division

Selecting the superintendent

Presenting the financial needs of the school division before the City Council

Overseeing the construction and maintenance operations for the school division

Monitoring the employment, placement, and promotion of school employees based on the superintendent’s recommendations

Member Profiles

CHAIRMANMs. Victoria L. Proffitt
Term Expires: 06/30/2020

Address:312 Cedar Road
Chesapeake VA 23322

Contact Information:
757-630-7391 (C)*protected email*

Victoria L. Proffitt was elected to the School Board in 2012 and re-elected in 2016. She was elected as the School Board Vice Chairman in 2016 and 2017, and was elected Chairman in 2018 and 2019. She is a native of Hampton Roads and a 29 year resident of Chesapeake. Victoria is a strong supporter of Chesapeake Public Schools. She has raised $64,500 in donations for our seven high schools, $1,750 for After-Prom programs for our seven high schools, and started a musical instrument program where she has collected over 100 instruments and over $2,000 for our band and orchestra programs. Victoria serves on the Chesapeake Public Schools Educational Foundation, Chesapeake Care Clinic Board of Directors, the WHRO Board of Directors, Chairman of the Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association Board, Chesapeake Youth Committee School Board Liaison, and the Executive Board of the Miss Chesapeake Pageant. Victoria is the Treasurer of the Republican Party of Chesapeake. Victoria has been a public school teacher, librarian, media specialist, curriculum development leader, staff trainer, and honored as Teacher of the Year (1993-1994). She is an adjunct mathematics professor at Tidewater Community College, an accountant/bookkeeper, and a small business owner. She received her M.Ed. from George Washington University, and her B.S. in mathematics from Norfolk State University, where she also studied pre-med. Victoria studied accounting at Tidewater Community College, computer science and Spanish at Old Dominion University, and attended flight school at Piedmont Aviation. Victoria was a softball coach for Chesapeake Parks and Recreation for five years. Victoria is a member and past worship leader at First Baptist Church of Norfolk, and member of the orchestra. Victoria has one son who graduated from Oscar Smith High School, one daughter who graduated from Indian River High School, and one daughter who attends Indian River High School.

VICE CHAIRMANMrs. Colleen C. Leary
Term Expires: 06/30/2022

Address:312 Cedar Road
Chesapeake VA 23322

Contact Information:
757-549-4583 (H)*protected email*

Mrs. Colleen C. Leary was elected to the School Board in May of 2014 and re-elected in 2018. She is a dedicated, retired educator of 34 years in Chesapeake schools. Her career in education began at the elementary level. She went on to be a reading resource teacher, an instructional specialist teaching effective teaching skills, a gifted education coordinator, an assistant principal, and a principal. Colleen is a lifelong resident of Chesapeake and product of Chesapeake Public Schools from first grade through graduation from Oscar Smith High in 1972. She received her B.S. in elementary education NK-7 from Old Dominion University, her M.S. in reading education and her Certificate of Advanced Study in educational administration and supervision from Old Dominion. She has also completed doctoral courses in educational administration from The George Washington University. Colleen has four children, all graduates of Chesapeake Schools, and four grandchildren. She is a member of River Oak Church where she serves in a variety of capacities, the Central Chesapeake Republican Women’s Club, and the Chesapeake PTA. Colleen is also a homeroom grandparent at her grandson’s school, Butts Road Intermediate.

MEMBERMr. Samuel L. Boone, Jr.
Term Expires: 06/30/2020

Address:312 Cedar Road
Chesapeake VA 23322

Contact Information:
757-547-1047*protected email*

Mr. Samuel L. Boone, Jr. was elected to the Chesapeake School Board in May of 2012 and re-elected in 2016. He is a Virginia State Trooper and Recruiter with 20 years of experience. Mr. Boone is a 1995 graduate of Norfolk State University with a B.A. in political science. He is a member of First Baptist Church, South Hill. Mr. Boone is a recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Courageous Leadership Award. He was a past member of the Chesapeake Youth Committee and a past board member of Volunteer Advocate for Chesapeake Youth. Mr. Boone is a member of the Grassfield Elementary PTA, a board member of the New Chesapeake Men for Progress, a member of the State Police Association, and also a member of the ECPI Criminal Justice Advisory Board. In Chesapeake, he has mentored numerous students at various schools. He and his wife, Zarmeta, reside in Deep Creek and have twin boys who attend Chesapeake Public Schools.

MEMBERMr. C. Jeff Bunn
Term Expires: 06/30/2020

Address:437 Rebel Road
Chesapeake VA 23322

Contact Information:
757-482-8781 (H)*protected email*

Mr. C. Jeff Bunn was appointed to the Chesapeake School Board in 2006, elected in 2008, and then re-elected in 2012 and 2016. He was elected Vice Chairman of the School Board in 2014 and re-elected in 2015. Mr. Bunn served as Chairman from July 2016 to July 2018. Jeff is a lifelong resident of the city of Chesapeake and graduated from Great Bridge High School. He also attended Tidewater Community College. Jeff is employed by the Chesapeake Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department as a Sales Manager in the tourism division. He is active in the community and is a former youth soccer coach. Jeff has served as a substitute teacher and school volunteer. He has studied acting and film and is a volunteer with the Miss America Scholarship Organization, the largest provider of scholarships for young women in the world.

MEMBERPatricia Y. King, MD
Term Expires: 06/30/2022

Address:312 Cedar Road
Chesapeake VA 23322

Contact Information:
757-547-1047*protected email*

Patricia Y. King, MD was elected to the Chesapeake School Board in May of 2018. She is a practicing physician with 29 years of experience. Dr. King graduated from Howard University in 1982, Meharry Medical School in 1989, and Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) in 1993. Currently she serves as a member of the EVMS Board of Trustees and is a member of the Hurrah Players Board of Trustees. Dr. King is the 2014 recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award from Old Dominion University, and received the Top Doc Award in 2014, 2015, and 2018. She served as the president of The Friends of Hampton Roads, Inc. from 2013 through 2015. In addition, she has participated on numerous committees with various organizations in the area including Norfolk Links, the Greater Norfolk Medical Society, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dr. King is the proud parent of three adult children.

MEMBERMr. Thomas L. Mercer, Sr.
Term Expires: 06/30/2020

Address:2034 Canning Place
Chesapeake VA 23322

Contact Information:
757-287-8420 (C)*protected email*

Mr. Thomas L. Mercer, Sr. has been on the School Board since 1996. He was elected in May 1996 and re-elected in May 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. He served as Vice Chairman from 2002 to 2004 and from January 2014 to June 30, 2014. He also served as Chairman from July 2004 to July 2008. Mr. Mercer is a lifelong resident of Chesapeake and currently is Pastor of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Chesapeake. Among his civic and leadership roles are the following: member of the Hickory Ruritan Club, past Vice Chairman and past board member of the Chesapeake Care Free Clinic, member of the Board of Advisors of the Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways History Foundation, and a member of the Great Bridge Clergy Association. Mr. Mercer graduated from Indian River High School and received an A.B. degree from Atlantic Christian College and a Master of Divinity from Duke University. Mr. Mercer and his wife, Susan, have four children who have graduated from Chesapeake Public Schools. They also have two grandsons; one of whom attends Chesapeake Public Schools.

MEMBERMr. Harry A. Murphy
Term Expires: 06/30/2022

Address:947 Unicorn Trail
Chesapeake VA 23322

Contact Information:
757-439-7217 (C)*protected email*

Mr. Harry A. Murphy was elected to the School Board in May 1998. He was re-elected in May 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018. He was elected Vice Chairman in July 2008 and re-elected Vice Chairman in July 2009. In July 2010 he was elected Chairman of the School Board and re-elected Chairman in July 2011. He retired from the U.S. Navy as a Commander and is currently the owner of A. Murphy Fence Company. Mr. Murphy has served on a number of service boards including the Board of Directors of the Governor’s School for the Arts and the National Board of Directors of the Military Child Education Coalition. He is very active in his church, serving as a youth leader for seven years. He has coached over 35 youth sports teams. Mr. Murphy received a B.S. degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and a M.S. in education administration from Old Dominion University. He and his wife, Karen, have three children that attended Chesapeake Public Schools. They also have three grandchildren.

MEMBERMrs. Christie New Craig
Term Expires: 06/30/2022

Address:312 Cedar Road
Chesapeake VA 23322

Contact Information:
757-434-3746 (C)*protected email*

Mrs. Christie New Craig was elected to the School Board in May of 2010 and re-elected in May 2014 and 2018. In July of 2012, Mrs. Craig was elected Vice Chairman of the School Board and re-elected Vice Chairman in July of 2013. She assumed the position of Chairman in January of 2014 and was elected Chairman in July of 2014 and re-elected in July of 2015. She is a resident of Western Branch, a 1985 graduate of Western Branch High School, and currently, Chief of Staff to Senator John A. Cosgrove. Mrs. Craig was a former deputy sheriff under the leadership of Sheriff John R. Newhart for over 15 years and a 1995 graduate of the Chesapeake Police Academy. She currently is president of Christie’s Catering and Consulting. Mrs. Craig has been involved in her community for most of her life. She was a very active PTA member, past recreational cheering coach, team mom, served on the Financial Committee for the Western Branch Varsity Baseball Team, participant in the Attorney General’s Mentor Program at Carver, volunteer for the Senior Services Seminar, Read Across America, and career day speaker. She is a current member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9 and in 2006 attended the Sorensen Political Leadership Program through UVA. She and her husband, Merrill, have three children that attended Chesapeake Public Schools and have seven grandchildren.

MEMBERMr. Michael J. Woods
Term Expires: 06/30/2022

Address:450 Blue Beech Way
Chesapeake VA 23320

Contact Information:
757-424-9500 (W)*protected email*

Mr. Michael J. Woods was elected to the School Board in May of 1998. He was re-elected in 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014. He was elected Vice Chairman in 2007. He is currently a trial attorney and president of the Law Offices of Michael J. Woods, P.C. Mr. Woods has a law enforcement background with 14 years of service with the Norfolk Police Department. He has also served on a number of committees and boards which include the Chesapeake Youth Committee, Chesapeake Criminal Justice Board, Chesapeake Care Free Clinic, the Governor’s School Board of Directors, and the Hampton Roads Public Education Service Committee. Mr. Woods graduated from Deep Creek High School, received an associate degree from Tidewater Community College, a B.A. from St. Leo College, and the degree of Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton School of Law. He and his wife, Nancy, have three children.